New Sustainability Space on Campus for Students
Written by: Maddy Mauthe
Starting this winter, UWSP will be implementing a new sustainability space next to the suites, where the prior Allen tennis courts were residing.
The approved space will include a vegetable garden, garden shed, a hammocking accessible area, perennial beds, a study space, a bee pollination area, and green spaces where various trees will be planted.
The space will be 100% facilitated and constructed by students.
SGA’s Green Fund is financially supporting this implementation.
The campus grounds crew will be assisting one hired student manager, but UWSP wants students to be involved in working and creating the space through volunteer action and clubs on campus.
The hired student will be responsible for giving the sustainability space a name, carrying out the plans that have already been approved by the Green Fund, coordinating volunteer involvement, proposing new additions to the space, and communicating with SGA how the implementation process is being completed.
Building/grounds superintendent Chris Brindley said, “This is for the students, about the students, and it’s their space.”
To get feedback on what students would want to see in a sustainable space on campus, the university sent out a survey last year to each student asking various questions to get their opinion on what should be included for the space.
Students also had the opportunity to create design plans that included different sustainable components that were student-friendly and realistic for the amount of space granted.
After collecting the survey and design submissions, the grounds crew submitted a final design proposal to SGA’s Green Fund.
The Green Fund approved the proposal and granted $63,190 as a budget.
For any additions to the space that were not included in the design plan or exceed the budget from the Green Fund, the hired manager will communicate and write proposals to SGA for further approval.
Chrissy Hughes, a UWSP student that lives in the suites, said, “It provides a space for people who live in the suites, or close by, to go and hangout.”
Maddy Mauthe
Environmental Reporter
